JP MP Jabir to file complaint against MP Muthalib over allegations of alcohol use

During yesterday’s sitting of parliament, MP Muthalib, who joined the religious conservative Adhaalath Party last year, alleged that he had seen MP Jabir walking out of the Hilton Hotel “with a bottle of alcohol in one hand and his wife in the other.”

MP Jabir’s wife is Minister of Gender, Family and Human Rights, Dhiyana Saeed.

The Fares-Maathoda MP made the allegation during a debate on problems facing the fisheries industry.

MPs have immunity from prosecution or defamation suits for remarks made during parliamentary debates.

Muthalib accused Jabir, chairman of resort company Yacht Tours, of using his time during parliamentary debates to “mock” the Islamic Ministry, the Adhaalath Party, and Islam.

In response, MP Jabir raised a point of order and said he regretted that “the Fares-Maathoda MP, who will see his own face and shape when he stands in front of a mirror and know he looks like someone who has committed theft after being elected as an MP [and] just told a blatant lie about us.”

The MP for Kaafu Kaashidhoo also remarked that MP Muthalib lacked “any education for someone who pretends to be a religious scholar.”

Jabir alleged that MP Muthalib was once banished for forging a signature, calling him a “big thief”.

Muthalib has meanwhile denied the allegations in local media today. Both the JP and Adhaalath are part of the current ruling coalition led by President Dr Mohamed Waheed.

In the 2008 presidential election, Adhaalath Party backed JP presidential candidate and business magnate Gasim Ibrahim and formed a coalition with the Republican party.